Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, but the story idea is all mine!
I actually was watching Disney's 'The Black Cauldron' when this idea came to me. I wondered what would happen if Endymion had been an evil king in search of the Silver Crystal, in the hopes it would give him the power to take control of the remaining kingdoms. What if Serenity was the sworn protector of said crystal? Well, read and find out!
"Cursed"
By: LunaBell
Dark shadows rolled across the barren landscape. The few animals brave enough to venture out of hiding quickly dodged back to their borrows in the hopes of finding safety. They had returned. The deadly creatures glided on the wind with a grace that, for a moment, could make you forget that their soul reason for being was to destroy everything in their path. Being identical in color and size, with their sleek black bodies and being a matching twenty feet long from head to tail with wings of the same length, it was hard to tell one from the other, though both were to be avoided at all costs. Even those in the castle feared the beasts. For even though they were as loyal to the king as the rest of his minions, it didn't mean they wouldn't attack the others at the slightest provocation. So, it was with a sense of foreboding that the dragons drifted silently to their perch within the great hall. Silence reigned, as everyone within the room took in the fact they had returned empty handed. This was not good.
All were looking to the throne on which their king was reclining, hidden in shadows, when the sound of shattering glass broke the silence. A once beautiful cup of pure crystal lay in pieces. "What do you mean, you couldn't retrieve it?" was heard in a deadly whisper that caused even the dragons to draw back in fear.
"Please, my lord. Let the creatures explain. You now as well as the rest of us that they are loyal and would not betray you." pleaded a small creature that closely resembled a gargoyle.
"Do you dare to give me orders, Grayling?"
"No, your majesty! I was simply pointing out that they must have a good reason to have failed you."
A wave a menacing energy flowed through the room as the Grayling was thrown back a good fifty yards. "I do not need you to point out the obvious to me." All within the room gulps at his tone. "Now, explain to me why you were unable to attain the crystal."
Silence filled the chamber once again as the king communicated with his pets. "So, you're telling me that there is a priestess protecting it? She shouldn't have been a problem. It should have been easy to take care of a single woman."
It was common knowledge to those within the castle that the king was able to communicate telepathically with the dragons. It was also one of the reasons he was said to be the son of Satan himself, for only someone spawned from Hell could speak with such beasts. Not to mention the creatures' undying loyalty to something that otherwise they would consider food. Standing, the king stepped into the torch light as he approached the dragons perch. He stood six feet four inches with hair as dark as pitch and eyes the color of the sea during a storm. Perhaps, many women would have found him handsome, if it wasn't for the seven inch horns that protruded from either side of his head. No normal woman would want him when he carried the proof of his damnation in clear view of all. Only those obsessed with power would dare to bed down with a twice damned man.
"It seems that I will have to take a different approach to the matter. You are to watch this priestess. We will take her by surprise. I will have that crystal, even if I have to kill a holy woman to get it!" With those parting words the king swept out of the hall. All breathed a sigh of relief.
Serenity watched the passing countryside as her companion, Luna, slept on the opposite side of the carriage. They were on their way to safety, or at least that was what they had been told. It had come to the elders' attention, that the 'Cursed King' was after the Silver Crystal and as it's keeper it was her job to take it somewhere he wouldn't be able to get it. So, here she was making a run for the Temple of Fire in hopes that the Sacred Fire would be able to cloak the crystal's power. With her pale blue eyes, long, light blond hair, and willow thin figure it was hard to believe that this five foot two beauty could hold the power of the crystal so firmly in check. Unfortunately, her powers were not enough to hide the crystal from the king's dragons. They had the ability to sense large amounts of power from long distances, so that their only chance of hiding it was to put it where a large power already existed.
In hindsight, Serenity realized that she should have seen it coming, but all of a sudden the carriage weaved dangerously. Luna, jolted from her sleep, wasn't able to as much as gasp as the carriage toppled to its side before sliding a good sixty feet. When the vehicle finally came to a stop all was still within. "Luna? Are you okay?" Serenity whispered gently as she attempted to pull herself into a sitting position.
"I believe so, just a slight bump on the head."
"I wonder what happened." Serenity wondered aloud not two minutes before the carriage door was ripped from its hinges and a small figure filled the opening.
"They're both alive, your highness!" came from the tiny shadow.
"Move, Grayling, so that we can pull them out." this coming from somewhere outside.
The shadow disappeared as a slight scuffle began outside. There wasn't much time. "Luna, see if you can get the door open enough for us to squeeze through." Serenity whispered urgently.
Luna nodded in understanding, before gently pressing her weight on the carriage door. It seemed they had landed on a slight hill, for it opened about two foot. Bending down, Serenity was able to make out the outline of the forest maybe forty feet from them. "The forest isn't far away. If we make a run for it, we might be able to lose them in the foliage. You go out first and wait for me; we'll run in opposite directions so it will be harder to catch us."
"But, Serenity, what if you are caught? We can't allow the Cursed King to get his hands on the crystal."
Serenity patted Luna's shoulder comfortingly before pushing her toward the door. "I know, Luna, but we have no other choice. If one of us can get away then we can get help."
Luna closed her eyes before squeezing though the opening, and crouching on the other side. Serenity followed shortly after. Both listened carefully to what was going on on the other side of the carriage. It seemed that the smaller creature was arguing over the point that he should be allowed to remove them from the vehicle. Turning to her companion, Serenity held up three fingers. Luna nodded in understanding just before Serenity started the silent count down. As her last finger fell, the two women took off in opposite directions, both headed toward the dense forest. It was a matter of seconds before the sounds of shouting and pounding hooves could be heard as the king's men gave chase. Unable to stop herself, Serenity glanced over her shoulder, only to find a large, black horse a mere foot behind her. An involuntary scream escaped her throat as she felt herself being lifted into the air. Seconds later found her thrown over the lap of the rider as he turned to return to the overturned carriage.
"Sire! The other woman got away."
Serenity gasped as she attempted to turn to confirm the identity of her captor, only to have his hand roughly push her back into her previous position. "It is of no consequence, Kunzite. I have what I came for. We return to the castle." came the reply from above her head.
"As you wish, your majesty."
"If you promise to remain still, I will allow you to sit up. I'm not in the mood to chase you around the country side, and might kill you no matter your worth to me. Do you understand?" this, directed at Serenity, caused her to shiver before nodding her head.
Sitting up slowly, she quickly took in the sceen around her. She was surrounded by at least fifty men on horseback, while many creatures resembling gargoyles littered the ground among them. "God save me." she whispered.
A menacing chuckle was heard from over her shoulder. "God cannot save you. I alone hold your fate in my hands, and I'm not as forgiving as your Lord."
It was with bated breath that Serenity finally turned to face the Devil himself.
Sorry it was so short. I'll try to make the next chapter longer. Please R&R. Comments are always welcome!
Ja,
LunaBell